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VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of South Dakota K-8 Social Science Methods class, along with members of the Student Veterans Resource Center on campus, will be creating visual art to reflect their views of American veterans for an arts exhibition this Thursday, Oct. 12.

The artwork will be displayed at a silent auction on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Muenster University Center Ballroom A. Admission is a free will donation at the door and all proceeds go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3061. The funds raised will aid the VFW in its missions of supporting education, disabled veterans, and other projects throughout the community.

“The impact of this art project is multifaceted,” explains Jing Williams, assistant professor of social studies education. “It cultivates students’ civic competence, engages students in social studies learning, shows pre-service social studies teachers how to implement similar service-learning projects into their future classrooms, and creates a positive and constructive relationship between USD and the local community.”

The theme of artwork this year is “Through My Eyes.” Artwork ranging from drawing, painting, or photography, to media art, graphic communications, and different handicrafts will be displayed at this semester’s event. This semester’s theme will bring about the views of veterans from many different “eyes.” This event was designed to help raise awareness of veterans’ contributions to society and also to help future educators learn about wars from a human perspective.

“Integrating art with social studies will allow us to show our appreciation for veterans in a creative way. We are excited and hope to see all of you there to help us support the VFW,” said Kasey Knutson, a student from K-8 Social Studies Methods Class.

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Founded in 1862 and the first university in the Dakotas, the University of South Dakota is the only public liberal arts university in the state, with 205 undergraduate and 73 graduate programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, Sanford School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Beacom School of Business and College of Fine Arts. With an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students and more than 400 faculty, USD has a 17:1 student/faculty ratio, and it ranks among the best in academics and affordability. USD’s 17 athletic programs compete at the NCAA Division I level.